This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Haug/Langerud/Jackson Classification: Biography Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/lRC.2ACE/3486 Message Board Post: WALSH HERITAGE, ND: VOL 2 1881-1981 PAGE 997 FRANK AND ETHEL VEJTASA Frank was born in a dugout on the plains of North Dakota on 9 Sep 1890 to Frank and Frances Vejtasa, who homesteaded about four miles southeast of Fairdale, ND. He had sevenbrothers and four sisters. Frank began his hobby of mounting birds and animals when he was 14 yrs old - not due to a teachers influence but because he, a great outdoorsman, wanted to preserve nature. Later being a true artist, he took up painting so he could paint backgrounds so as to depict his animals in their true habitat. In hiw ownwords he said: "I attended the school of nature where God himself is my teacher, in our wonderful outdoors." Frank was reowned throughtout the state and midwest for his artistry of wildlife in addition to his taxidermy displays at the state capitol at Bismarck. He furnished most of the displays and painted backgrounds for the Cloverleaf Wildlife Museum of Jamestown and also at the Minto Historical Museum. He also prepared displays of habitat groups for the Game and Fish Department, as well as for individual hunters. He married Ethel Haug, daughter of Anton Haug, of Fairdale on 14 June 1930 at Grafton. Frank and Ethel remained on the Vejtasa farm and farmed the land until his death. Five children were born to them: Armand Vejtasa - Adams, ND Dorothy Vejtasa (Mrs Miles Ellison) Lois Vejtasa (Mrs Severson) - Grafton, ND Don Vejtasa - Adams, ND and a son who died in infancy. Frank died 5 March 1961 at the age of 71 years and is buried in the Silvesta Cemetery. His memory lives in all the beautiful things he created. PHOTOGRAPH: Frank and Ethel Haug Vejtasa ~~Volunteer Posting